The answer depends on your particular educational and personal goals, and which fellowships you pursue.
But whether a fellowship funds a research project abroad or graduate studies in the United States, the benefits recipients enjoy are clear. Here are five reasons to consider applying for a fellowship, beyond financial:
Open doors: Build a valuable network of mentors and peers who can support you — potentially across a lifetime.
Pursue life goals: Progress toward your educational and career goals.
Expand your mind: Whether through an independent research project or a graduate program abroad, fellowships offer rich intellectual challenges that can change how you think forever.
Grow leadership skills: Hone your critical thinking and collaboration skills while studying with people from diverse backgrounds. Understand urgent global challenges and emerging solutions.
Become a citizen of the world: Learn firsthand how the world is interconnected. Live abroad and develop foreign language skills.
If this piques your interest — and you’re a self-starter with a record of high academic achievement — you should seriously consider applying for a fellowship. The fellowships landscape is crowded with possibilities — good news for Mount Holyoke students or graduates looking to continue their education in uniquely valuable ways.